From the Left Seat

Greetings fellow aviators,

I hope that the Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade-Show went really well. I’m sorry to have missed it, as I always learn something and certainly get to see old friends.

The reason that I missed the trade show is that I’m on a cruise that went from Miami through the Panama Canal and is headed up to Los Angeles as I write this. We’ve had a wonderful trip so far, and even got to visit the farthest south east EAA Chapter. I hope you see the article elsewhere in the newsletter. Joining Lisa and me on the cruise, were several EAA430 members including: the Halsted’s, Miller’s, Hansen’s, and the Benedict’s. We hear we chose wisely concerning the weather!

In my absence, Vice President Rick Vaux and several board members have joined together with the Sequim Library, the Maker Project, and the Amateur Modeling Association to put together the start of our first Build and Fly airplane project for youth. He plans the first meeting on April 8.

Erik Petersen is offering a chance to learn how to 3D print. Parts are already being installed on Chapter member’s planes. Also, thanks to Erik, our membership chairman, for putting out the latest membership roster. I hope it makes it easier for you to hook up with fellow members.

It’s time to get ready for our Young Eagles season. We will have rallies in May, June and July. The dates will be on the website. Make sure to check your youth protection status. You can do that on the eaa.org website. Make plans now to join us and show some young people the magic of flying. They may(probably) will never have the opportunity again.

I hope you enjoyed the article about Madeline Patterson in the newsletter and her accomplishments in North Dakota. The Board of Directors has authorized scholarships for two more recipients. We have enough money for a while, but we will need to be raising some funds to continue our great program. One way that we can raise funds, is through the Pilot Recognition Plaza. So for you who ordered pavers, they are on their way! And there is another order planned for the end of the year. It’s a great way to celebrate someone. Contact me for more information.

We’re scheduling a Breakfast for all the Light flyers. This includes LSA, ultralights, and anyone else that would like to get together with fellow fliers for a breakfast. Whether you drive or fly, the donation breakfast will be at Sequim Valley Airport on Saturday April 22nd. There will be short presentations on ultralights around Sequim, and how to fly safely around Sequim Valley Airport. Come see who’s flying the light stuff.

I’m hoping to bring the weather I’m enjoying back with us and start a fantastic spring and summer of “Having fun with Airplanes!

Ray